Environmental Protection Agency March 11, 2019 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve a State Implementation Plan (SIP) revision submitted by the State of Georgia, through the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (Georgia EPD), through a letter dated July 24, 2018, for the purpose of addressing the Clean Air Act (CAA or Act) ``good neighbor'' interstate transport (prongs 1 and 2) infrastructure SIP requirements for the 2010 1-hour Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2) National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS). The CAA requires that each state adopt and submit a SIP for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of each NAAQS promulgated by EPA, commonly referred to as an ``infrastructure SIP.'' Specifically, EPA is proposing to approve Georgia's July 24, 2018, SIP revision addressing prongs 1 and 2 to ensure that air emissions in the State do not significantly contribute to nonattainment or interfere with maintenance of the 2010 1-hour NO2 NAAQS in any other state.

Whenever a new or revised National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) is promulgated, the Clean Air Act requires each State to submit a plan for the implementation, maintenance, and enforcement of the standard, commonly referred to as infrastructure requirements. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to approve the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality's (ODEQ) State Implementation Plan (SIP), submitted on September 21, 2018, as meeting infrastructure requirements for the 2015 ozone NAAQS. In addition, the EPA is proposing to approve an Oregon Administrative Rule, submitted as part of the Cleaner Air Oregon program and rule revision on December 11, 2018, which incorporates the Code of Federal Regulation November 2018 edition as the version referred to throughout their rule.

This action provides public notice and solicits comment on the alternative means of emission limitation (AMEL) request from Shell Oil Products U.S. Martinez Refinery (Shell Martinez) under the Clean Air Act, to operate a multi-point ground flare (MPGF) at a refinery in Martinez, California. In this action, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is soliciting comment on all aspects of this AMEL request and the corresponding operating conditions that would demonstrate that the requested AMEL will achieve a reduction in emissions of hazardous air pollutants (HAP) at least equivalent to the reduction in emissions required by the National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants from Petroleum Refineries (``Petroleum Refinery Maximum Achievable Control Technology (MACT)''). The Shell Martinez delayed coking unit (DCU) MPGF cannot meet the flare tip velocity limits in the Petroleum Refinery MACT. Based on our review of this request and supporting information, we conclude that, by following the conditions specified in this notice, the Shell Martinez DCU MPGF will achieve at least equivalent emissions reductions as flares complying with the Petroleum Refinery MACT requirements.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is approving the rescission of Michigan rule 221 from the Michigan state implementation plan (SIP). Rule 221 exempted sources that had significant net emission increases of sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, and carbon monoxide from offset requirements. Michigan rescinded this rule effective November 14, 1990.